Jer.7.30

"The people of Judah have lived evil lives while I've stood by and watched." GOD's Decree. "In deliberate insult to me, they've set up their obscene god-images in the very Temple that was built to honor me.

Jer.7.30

"'The people of Judah have done evil in my eyes, declares the LORD. They have set up their detestable idols in the house that bears my Name and have defiled it.

Jer.7.30

For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight," says the LORD. "They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it.

Jer.7.30

"The people of Judah have sinned before my very eyes," says the LORD. "They have set up their abominable idols right in my own Temple, defiling it.

Jer.7.31

They've constructed Topheth altars for burning babies in prominent places all through the valley of Ben-hinnom, altars for burning their sons and daughters alive in the fire--a shocking perversion of all that I am and all I command.

Jer.7.31

They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire-something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.

Jer.7.31

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart.

Jer.7.31

They have built the pagan shrines of Topheth in the valley of the son of Hinnom, where they sacrifice their little sons and daughters in the fire. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!

Jer.7.32

"But soon, very soon"--GOD's Decree!-"the names Topheth and Ben-hinnom will no longer be used. They'll call the place what it is: Murder Meadow. Corpses will be stacked up in Topheth because there's no room left to bury them!

Jer.7.32

So beware, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when people will no longer call it Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter, for they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room.

Jer.7.32

"Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when it will no more be called Tophet, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Tophet until there is no room.

Jer.7.32

So beware, for the time is coming," says the LORD, "when that place will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. They will bury so many bodies in Topheth that there won't be room for all the graves.

Jer.7.33

Corpses abandoned in the open air, fed on by crows and coyotes, who have the run of the place.

Jer.7.33

Then the carcasses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away.

Jer.7.33

The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away.

Jer.7.33

The corpses of my people will be food for the vultures and wild animals, and no one will be left to scare them away.

Jer.7.34

And I'll empty both smiles and laughter from the villages of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. No wedding songs, no holiday sounds. Dead silence. [JC]

Jer.7.34

I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the land will become desolate.

Jer.7.34

Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. For the land shall be desolate.

Jer.7.34

I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter in the streets of Jerusalem. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard in the towns of Judah. The land will lie in complete desolation.

Jer.8.1

"And when the time comes"--God's Decree!-"I'll see to it that they dig up the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the princes and priests and prophets, and yes, even the bones of the common people.

Jer.8.1

"'At that time, declares the LORD, the bones of the kings and officials of Judah, the bones of the priests and prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves.

Jer.8.1

"At that time," says the LORD, "they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of its princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves.

Jer.8.1

"In that day," says the LORD, "the enemy will break open the graves of the kings and officials of Judah, and the graves of the priests, prophets, and common people.

Jer.8.2

They'll dig them up and spread them out like a congregation at worship before sun, moon, and stars, all those sky gods they've been so infatuated with all these years, following their "lucky stars' in doglike devotion. The bones will be left scattered and exposed, to reenter the soil as fertilizer, like manure.

Jer.8.2

They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped. They will not be gathered up or buried, but will be like refuse lying on the ground.

Jer.8.2

They shall spread them before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and which they have served and after which they have walked, which they have sought and which they have worshiped. They shall not be gathered nor buried; they shall be like refuse on the face of the earth.

Jer.8.2

They will dig out their bones and spread them out on the ground before the sun, moon, and stars--the gods my people have loved, served, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up again or buried but will be scattered on the ground like dung.

Jer.8.3

"Everyone left--all from this evil generation unlucky enough to still be alive in whatever godforsaken place I will have driven them to--will wish they were dead." Decree of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Jer.8.3

Wherever I banish them, all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life, declares the LORD Almighty.'

Jer.8.3

Then death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of those who remain of this evil family, who remain in all the places where I have driven them," says the LORD of hosts.

Jer.8.3

And the people of this evil nation who survive will wish to die rather than live where I will send them. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!

Jer.8.4

"Tell them this, GOD's Message: Do people fall down and not get up? Or take the wrong road and then just keep going?

Jer.8.4

"Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: "'When men fall down, do they not get up? When a man turns away, does he not return?

Jer.8.4

"Moreover you shall say to them, "Thus says the LORD: "Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return?

Jer.8.4

"Jeremiah, say to the people, `This is what the LORD says: When people fall down, don't they get up again? When they start down the wrong road and discover their mistake, don't they turn back?

Jer.8.5

So why does this people go backwards, and just keep on going--backwards! They stubbornly hold on to their illusions, refuse to change direction.

Jer.8.5

Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.

Jer.8.5

Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.

Jer.8.5

Then why do these people keep going along their self-destructive path, refusing to turn back, even though I have warned them?

Jer.8.6

I listened carefully but heard not so much as a whisper. No one expressed one word of regret. Not a single "I'm sorry" did I hear. They just kept at it, blindly and stupidly banging their heads against a brick wall.

Jer.8.6

I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.

Jer.8.6

I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, "What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle.

Jer.8.6

I listen to their conversations, and what do I hear? Is anyone sorry for sin? Does anyone say, "What a terrible thing I have done"? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse rushing into battle!

Jer.8.7

Cranes know when it's time to move south for winter. And robins, warblers, and bluebirds know when it's time to come back again. But my people? My people know nothing, not the first thing of GOD and his rule.

Jer.8.7

Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

Jer.8.7

"Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD.

Jer.8.7

The stork knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know what the LORD requires of them.

Jer.8.8

How can you say, "We know the score. We're the proud owners of GOD's revelation"? Look where it's gotten you--stuck in illusion. Your religion experts have taken you for a ride!

Jer.8.8

"'How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?

Jer.8.8

"How can you say, "We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us'? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.

Jer.8.8

" `How can you say, "We are wise because we have the law of the LORD," when your teachers have twisted it so badly?

Jer.8.9

Your know-it--alls will be unmasked, caught and shown up for what they are. Look at them! They know everything but GOD's Word. Do you call that "knowing"?

Jer.8.9

The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?

Jer.8.9

The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD; So what wisdom do they have?

Jer.8.9

These wise teachers will be shamed by exile for their sin, for they have rejected the word of the LORD. Are they so wise after all?

Jer.8.10

So here's what will happen to the know-it--alls: I'll make them wifeless and homeless. Everyone's after the dishonest dollar, little people and big people alike. Prophets and priests and everyone in-between twist words and doctor truth.

Jer.8.10

Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.

Jer.8.10

Therefore I will give their wives to others, And their fields to those who will inherit them; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is given to covetousness; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely.

Jer.8.10

I will give their wives and their farms to others. From the least to the greatest, they trick others to get what does not belong to them. Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that.

Jer.8.11

My dear Daughter--my people--broken, shattered, and yet they put on band-aids, Saying, "It's not so bad. You'll be just fine." But things are not "just fine"!

Jer.8.11

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace.

Jer.8.11

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, "Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.

Jer.8.11

They offer superficial treatments for my people's mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when all is war.

Jer.8.12

Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage? Not really. They have no shame. They don't even know how to blush. There's no hope for them. They've hit bottom and there's no getting up. As far as I'm concerned, they're finished.'" GOD has spoken. [JC]

Jer.8.12

Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says the LORD.

Jer.8.12

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down," says the LORD.

Jer.8.12

Are they ashamed when they do these disgusting things? No, not at all--they don't even blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be humbled when they are punished, says the LORD.

Jer.8.13

I went out to see if I could salvage anything'" -GOD's Decree--but found nothing: Not a grape, not a fig, just a few withered leaves. I'm taking back everything I gave them.'"

Jer.8.13

"'I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine. There will be no figs on the tree, and their leaves will wither. What I have given them will be taken from them. '"

Jer.8.13

"I will surely consume them," says the LORD. "No grapes shall be on the vine, Nor figs on the fig tree, And the leaf shall fade; And the things I have given them shall pass away from them.""'

Jer.8.13

I will take away their rich harvests of figs and grapes. Their fruit trees will all die. All the good things I prepared for them will soon be gone. I, the LORD, have spoken!'

Jer.8.14

So why are we sitting here, doing nothing? Let's get organized. Let's go to the big city and at least die fighting. We've gotten GOD's ultimatum: We're damned if we do and damned if we don't--damned because of our sin against him.

Jer.8.14

"Why are we sitting here? Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there! For the LORD our God has doomed us to perish and given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against him.

Jer.8.14

"Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, And let us enter the fortified cities, And let us be silent there. For the LORD our God has put us to silence And given us water of gall to drink, Because we have sinned against the LORD.

Jer.8.14

"Then the people will say, `Why should we wait here to die? Come, let's go to the fortified cities to die there. For the LORD our God has decreed our destruction and has given us a cup of poison to drink because we sinned against the LORD.

Jer.8.15

We hoped things would turn out for the best, but it didn't happen that way. We were waiting around for healing--and terror showed up!

Jer.8.15

We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror.

Jer.8.15

"We looked for peace, but no good came; And for a time of health, and there was trouble!

Jer.8.15

We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror.

Jer.8.16

From Dan at the northern borders we hear the hooves of horses, Horses galloping, horses neighing. The ground shudders and quakes. They're going to swallow up the whole country. Towns and people alike--fodder for war.

Jer.8.16

The snorting of the enemy's horses is heard from Dan; at the neighing of their stallions the whole land trembles. They have come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who live there."

Jer.8.16

The snorting of His horses was heard from Dan. The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of His strong ones; For they have come and devoured the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell in it."

Jer.8.16

The snorting of the enemies' warhorses can be heard all the way from the land of Dan in the north! The whole land trembles at the approach of the terrible army, for it is coming to devour the land and everything in it--cities and people alike.'

Jer.8.17

What's more, I'm dispatching poisonous snakes among you, Snakes that can't be charmed, snakes that will bite you and kill you.'" GOD's Decree!

Jer.8.17

"See, I will send venomous snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you," declares the LORD.

Jer.8.17

"For behold, I will send serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, And they shall bite you," says the LORD.

Jer.8.17

"I will send these enemy troops among you like poisonous snakes you cannot charm," says the LORD. "No matter what you do, they will bite you, and you will die."

Jer.8.18

I drown in grief. I'm heartsick.

Jer.8.18

O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

Jer.8.18

I would comfort myself in sorrow; My heart is faint in me.

Jer.8.18

My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken.

Jer.8.19

Oh, listen! Please listen! It's the cry of my dear people reverberating through the country. Is GOD no longer in Zion? Has the King gone away? Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything--gods, their silly, imported no-gods before me?

Jer.8.19

Listen to the cry of my people from a land far away: "Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King no longer there?Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their worthless foreign idols?"

Jer.8.19

Listen! The voice, The cry of the daughter of my people From a far country: "Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not her King in her?" "Why have they provoked Me to anger With their carved images-- With foreign idols?"

Jer.8.19

Listen to the weeping of my people; it can be heard all across the land. "Has the LORD abandoned Jerusalem?" the people ask. "Is her King no longer there?Oh, why have they angered me with their carved idols and worthless gods?" asks the LORD.

Jer.8.20

The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing's changed. We're still waiting to be rescued.

Jer.8.20

"The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved."

Jer.8.20

"The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!"

Jer.8.20

"The harvest is finished, and the summer is gone," the people cry, "yet we are not saved!"

Jer.8.21

For my dear broken people, I'm heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief.

Jer.8.21

Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me.

Jer.8.21

For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me.

Jer.8.21

I weep for the hurt of my people. I am stunned and silent, mute with grief.

Jer.8.22

Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn't there a doctor in the house? So why can't something be done to heal and save my dear, dear people? [JC]

Jer.8.22

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?

Jer.8.22

Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people?

Jer.8.22

Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people?

Jer.9.1

I wish my head were a well of water and my eyes fountains of tears So I could weep day and night for casualties among my dear, dear people.

Jer.9.1

Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.

Jer.9.1

Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jer.9.1

Oh, that my eyes were a fountain of tears; I would weep forever! I would sob day and night for all my people who have been slaughtered.

Jer.9.2

At times I wish I had a wilderness hut, a backwoods cabin, Where I could get away from my people and never see them again. They're a faithless, feckless bunch, a congregation of degenerates. [JC]

Jer.9.2

Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people.

Jer.9.2

Oh, that I had in the wilderness A lodging place for travelers; That I might leave my people, And go from them! For they are all adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men.

Jer.9.2

Oh, that I could go away and forget them and live in a shack in the desert, for they are all adulterous and treacherous.

Jer.9.3

"Their tongues shoot out lies like a bow shoots arrows--A mighty army of liars, the sworn enemies of truth. They advance from one evil to the next, ignorant of me." GOD's Decree.

Jer.9.3

"They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Jer.9.3

"And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me," says the LORD.

Jer.9.3

"My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. And they only go from bad to worse! They care nothing for me," says the LORD.

Jer.9.4

"Be wary of even longtime neighbors. Don't even trust your grandmother! Brother schemes against brother, like old cheating Jacob. Friend against friend spreads malicious gossip.

Jer.9.4

"Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.

Jer.9.4

"Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers.

Jer.9.4

"Beware of your neighbor! Beware of your brother! They all take advantage of one another and spread their slanderous lies.

Jer.9.5

Neighbors gyp neighbors, never telling the truth. They've trained their tongues to tell lies, and now they can't tell the truth.

Jer.9.5

Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

Jer.9.5

Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jer.9.5

They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.

Jer.9.6

They pile wrong upon wrong, stack lie upon lie, and refuse to know me." GOD's Decree.

Jer.9.6

You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Jer.9.6

Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the LORD.

Jer.9.6

They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to come to me," says the LORD.

Jer.9.7

Therefore, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says: "Watch this! I'll melt them down and see what they're made of. What else can I do with a people this wicked?

Jer.9.7

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

Jer.9.7

Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and try them; For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?

Jer.9.7

Therefore, the LORD Almighty says, "See, I will melt them in a crucible and test them like metal. What else can I do with them?

Jer.9.8

Their tongues are poison arrows! Deadly lies stream from their mouths. Neighbor greets neighbor with a smile, "Good morning! How're things?' while scheming to do away with him.

Jer.9.8

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Jer.9.8

Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.

Jer.9.8

For their tongues aim lies like poisoned arrows. They promise peace to their neighbors while planning to kill them.

Jer.9.9

Do you think I'm going to stand around and do nothing?" GOD's Decree. "Don't you think I'll take serious measures against a people like this?

Jer.9.9

Should I not punish them for this?" declares the LORD. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?"

Jer.9.9

Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the LORD. "Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?"

Jer.9.9

Should I not punish them for this?" asks the LORD. "Should I not avenge myself against a nation such as this?"

Jer.9.10

"I'm lamenting the loss of the mountain pastures. I'm chanting dirges for the old grazing grounds. They've become deserted wastelands too dangerous for travelers. No sounds of sheep bleating or cattle mooing. Birds and wild animals, all gone. Nothing stirring, no sounds of life.

Jer.9.10

I will weep and wail for the mountains and take up a lament concerning the desert pastures. They are desolate and untraveled, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. The birds of the air have fled and the animals are gone.

Jer.9.10

I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, And for the dwelling places of the wilderness a lamentation, Because they are burned up, So that no one can pass through; Nor can men hear the voice of the cattle. Both the birds of the heavens and the beasts have fled; They are gone.

Jer.9.10

I will weep for the mountains and wail for the desert pastures. For they are desolate and empty of life; the lowing of cattle is heard no more; the birds and wild animals all have fled.

Jer.9.11

I'm going to make Jerusalem a pile of rubble, fit for nothing but stray cats and dogs. I'm going to reduce Judah's towns to piles of ruins where no one lives!" [JC]

Jer.9.11

"I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals; and I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."

Jer.9.11

"I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a den of jackals. I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant."

Jer.9.11

"I will make Jerusalem into a heap of ruins," says the LORD. "It will be a place haunted by jackals. The towns of Judah will be ghost towns, with no one living in them."

Jer.9.12

I asked, "Is there anyone around bright enough to tell us what's going on here? Anyone who has the inside story from GOD and can let us in on it? "Why is the country wasted? "Why no travelers in this desert?"

Jer.9.12

What man is wise enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross?

Jer.9.12

Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?

Jer.9.12

Who is wise enough to understand all this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it to others? Why has the land been ruined so completely that no one even dares to travel through it?

Jer.9.13

GOD's answer: "Because they abandoned my plain teaching. They wouldn't listen to anything I said, refused to live the way I told them to.

Jer.9.13

The LORD said, "It is because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed me or followed my law.

Jer.9.13

And the LORD said, "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it,

Jer.9.13

The LORD replies, "This has happened because my people have abandoned the instructions I gave them; they have refused to obey my law.

Jer.9.14

Instead they lived any way they wanted and took up with the Baal gods, who they thought would give them what they wanted--following the example of their parents."

Jer.9.14

Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts; they have followed the Baals, as their fathers taught them."

Jer.9.14

but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them,"

Jer.9.14

Instead, they have stubbornly followed their own desires and worshiped the images of Baal, as their ancestors taught them.

Jer.9.15

And this is the consequence. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says so: "I'll feed them with pig slop. "I'll give them poison to drink.

Jer.9.15

Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "See, I will make this people eat bitter food and drink poisoned water.

Jer.9.15

therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Jer.9.15

So now, listen to what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Look! I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink.

Jer.9.16

"Then I'll scatter them far and wide among godless peoples that neither they nor their parents have ever heard of, and I'll send Death in pursuit until there's nothing left of them."

Jer.9.16

I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will pursue them with the sword until I have destroyed them."

Jer.9.16

I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them."

Jer.9.16

I will scatter them around the world, and they will be strangers in distant lands. Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely."

Col.1.1

I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan. Together with my friend Timothy,

Col.1.1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

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This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

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I greet the Christians and stalwart followers of Christ who live in Colosse. May everything good from God our Father be yours!

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To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

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To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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It is written to God's holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.

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Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!

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We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

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We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

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We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.

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because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--

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since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;

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for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people.

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The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope. The Message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time.

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the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel

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because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

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You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven--as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

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It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, you've been hungry for more.

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that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

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which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

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This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God's great kindness to sinners.

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It's as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always depend on him.

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You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

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as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,

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Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good News. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place.

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He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.

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and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

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who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

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He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

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Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works.

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For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

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For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

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So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.

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We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.

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And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

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that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

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Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

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We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul--not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,

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being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

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strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

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We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy,

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thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

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giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

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giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

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always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.

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God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much,

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For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

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He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

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For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

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the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

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in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

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God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

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We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.

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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

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Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.

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For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.

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For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

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For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

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Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him.

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He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.

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He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

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And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

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He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

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And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and--leading the resurrection parade--he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone.

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And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

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And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

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Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything.

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So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.

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For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

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For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

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For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,

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Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe--people and things, animals and atoms--get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross.

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and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

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and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

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and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.

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You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.

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Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

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And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

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This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions,

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But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.

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But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--

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in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--

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yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

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You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message--just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. [JC]

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if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

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if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

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But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it.

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What can I give back to GOD for the blessings he's poured out on me?

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How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

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What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?

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What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me?

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I'll lift high the cup of salvation--a toast to GOD! I'll pray in the name of GOD;

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I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

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I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.

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I will lift up a cup symbolizing his salvation; I will praise the LORD's name for saving me.

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I'll complete what I promised GOD I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people.

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I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

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I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people.

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I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

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When they arrive at the gates of death, GOD welcomes those who love him.

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Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

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Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

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The LORD's loved ones are precious to him; it grieves him when they die.

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Oh, GOD, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!

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O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

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O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.

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O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, and you have freed me from my bonds!

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I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of GOD.

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I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

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I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD.

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I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

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I'll complete what I promised GOD I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people,

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I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

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I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people,

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I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

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In the place of worship, in GOD's house, in Jerusalem, GOD's city. Hallelujah! al

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in the courts of the house of the LORD - in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

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In the courts of the LORD's house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

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in the house of the LORD, in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!